Implementing a Threat Assessment Plan in Public Buildings

All public buildings and facilities face a certain level of risk associated with various threats. Threats can be either violent or nonviolent, and intentional or accidental. While the likelihood of a dangerous situation is relatively low for most establishments, that doesn’t mean owners or managers should dismiss the benefits of a threat assessment plan.

Identify, Determine, Develop

A threat assessment is often the first step in setting up a risk management program at a public building. There are many factors to consider when assessing the risk of a public building, including the ease of access to the building, as well as how many individuals are either visiting or working on the premises. A threat assessment typically follows a strict order of operations in order to:

Identify the potential risks (whether violent or nonviolent).

Determine the seriousness and likelihood of each recognized threat.

Develop intervention plans that protect individuals within the building.

Ongoing Assessments

After threats are identified, and their risk level is calculated, it is up to the building owner or manager to ensure an intervention plan is developed and put in place. As part of your threat assessment plan, you might be encouraged by a risk advisor to upgrade or update the more vulnerable areas of your building. If you make any structural or security changes, you can then receive a re-evaluation of risks, which will likely help your building receive a better rating.